2008 TOYOTA AVALON coolant temperature

136 2-2. Instrument cluster
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Odometer and trip meter display buttonPressing this button switches am ong odometer and trip meter when
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is on.
Odometer
Trip meter A
Trip meter B
Pushing and holding the button
will reset the trip meter.
Odometer/Trip meter displayOdometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter
Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the meter
was last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to record and dis-
play different distances independently.
Dynamic laser cruise control display
P. 152
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.

302 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch is OFF. 
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch or the engine switch in ON mode,
the electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is
on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( P. 314)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.

366
5-1. Essential information
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle 
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

5
When trouble arises
401
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condi-
tioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: 
Stop the engine and carefully lift the hood.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 307)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: 
Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins
to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: 
Stop the engine immediately and call your local Toyota
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

402 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
● The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of
power is experienced.
● Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot. 
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 410)
Have the vehicle checked at your nea rest Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
STEP6

422 6-1. Specifications
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation 
pressure Tire pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more, or has not
been driven more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under
that condition
Maximum inflation
pressure The maximum cold inflated
pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, s hown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended 
inflation pressure Cold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer.
Accessory weight The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of trans-
mission, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, radio and heater, to the
extent that these items are available as factory-
installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional
engine
Maximum loaded 
vehicle weight The sum of:

(a) Curb weight 
(b) Accessory weight 
(c) Vehicle capacity weight 
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant
weight 150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants
specified in the second column of Table 1
* that
follows

445
Alphabetical index
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine
Compartment........................ 306
Engine switch ............... 122, 126
Hood ..................................... 303
How to start the engine ........................ 122, 126
Identification number ............ 407
If the engine will not start...... 391
Ignition switch ............... 122, 126
Overheating .......................... 401
Engine compartment cover .... 307
Engine coolant Capacity ............................... 410
Checking .............................. 313
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Engine coolan t temperature 
gauge ..................................... 135
Engine immobilizer system ...... 75
Engine oil Capacity ............................... 409
Checking .............................. 308
Preparing and checking 
before winter ...................... 170
Event data recorder ................ 368
Floor mats ................................ 275
Fluid
Brake .................................... 315
Washer ................................. 321
Fog lights Switch ................................... 145
Wattage ................................ 413
Foot light .................................. 252
Front passenger occupant 
classification system.............. 93
Front passenger’s seat belt 
reminder light ........................ 373
Front seats
Adjustment ............................. 46
Driving position memory ......... 50
Front turn signal lights
Wattage ................................ 413 Fuel
Capacity ................................408
Fuel gauge ............................135
Fuel pump shut off system ....367
Gas station information .........452
Information ............................414
Refueling .................................72
Fuel door.....................................72
Fuel filler door ............................72
Fuel pump shut off system .....367
Fuses.........................................344
Garage door opener.................278
Gas station information...........452
Gauges ......................................135
Glove box..................................256
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) ................220
Head restraints ...........................53
Headlight aim ...........................353
Headlights Discharge headlights 
precautions .........................359
Switch....................................143
Wattage .................................413
Heaters Seat heaters ..........................270
Side mirror.............................187
Hood ..........................................303
Hooks Cargo ....................................276
Shopping bag ........................276
F
G
H

450
AVALON_U_(L/O_0802)
What to do if...
What to do if...
A tire puncturesP. 382If you have a flat tire
The engine does not start
P. 7 5Engine immobilizer system
P. 391If the engine will not start
P. 397If the battery is discharged
The shift lever cannot be 
moved outP. 393If the shift lever cannot be shifted 
from “P”
The engine coolant temperature
gauge enters the red zone
Steam can be seen coming 
from under the hood
P. 401If your vehicle overheats
The key is lostP. 394If you lose your keys
The battery runs outP. 397If the battery is discharged
The doors cannot be lockedP. 3 9Doors
The horn begins to soundP. 7 7Alarm
The vehicle is stuck in mud
or sandP. 404If the vehicle becomes stuck